Deck 7: Behavioral Theory and Therapy

Question 1

The story of behaviorism and behavior therapy is deeply linked to which of the following?

A) The story of science in American psychology.
B) Reactions to unscientific psychoanalytic approaches to psychology and psychotherapy.
C) The scientific method of introspectionism.
D) All of the above.
E) Only a and b.

Answer 1

Only a and b.

Question 2

Psychoanalysis focuses on inner dynamics, whereas behaviorism focuses strictly on:

A) Concrete and observable behaviors.
B) Mentalistic concepts.
C) Dream analysis.
D) None of the above.
E) Both a and b.

Answer 2

Concrete and observable behaviors.

Question 3

Prior to the work of John B. Watson, the field of psychology in North America was generally regarded as a(n) ____________ rather than a science.

A) Philosophy.
B) Religion.
C) Art.
D) Academic discipline.
E) Sham.

Answer 3

Philosophy.

Question 4

For John B. Watson, behaviorism was based on:

A) Introspective data.
B) Verifiable scientific data.
C) Research focused on emotional processes.
D) Informal observation; he saw it as a subjective branch of natural science.
E) Spirituality.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about John Watson's research with Little Albert is/are true?

A) It required 20 trials of pairing the presentation of a white rat to Albert with the striking of a metal bar before Albert developed a strong fear and aversion to white rats.
B) Watson's classical conditioning method was quick and efficient despite the fact that Albert had previously been a calm and happy baby who eagerly played with white rats.
C) Little Albert's conditioned fear response generalized to a variety of furry or fuzzy white objects, including a rabbit, a dog, cotton wool, and a Santa Claus mask.
D) All of the above are true.
E) Only b and c are true.

Question 6

In the case of Little Albert, what was the unconditioned stimulus?

A) The rat.
B) The rabbit.
C) His fear.
D) The sound of a metal bar being struck.
E) None of these.

Question 7

How was Mary Cover Jones able to extinguish Little Peter's fear response to furry animals?

A) Through a kind and rational explanation about the harmlessness of such animals.
B) By allowing Little Peter to eventually grow out of his fear.
C) By introducing the animals while Little Peter enjoyed his favorite foods.
D) By encouraging Little Peter's parents to keep a stuffed rabbit in his room at all times so he would become accustomed to the presence of furry animals.
E) Through prolonged and massed exposure.

Question 8

What was/were Mary Cover Jones's main finding(s) about methods for reducing or eliminating fear through counterconditioning?

A) Using direct conditioning, the fear-object was associated with a craving-object and the fear was replaced with a positive response.
B) Once the fears were set, it was impossible to eliminate them.
C) Using social imitation, children were able to reduce or eliminate their fear response.
D) None of the above is true.
E) Only a and c are true.

Question 9

Arnold Lazarus was the first behavior therapist to express an open acceptance of:

A) Evidence-based practice.
B) Different teaching practices for diverse learning styles.
C) Eclecticism.
D) Peer-reviewed journals.
E) Cognition as a dimension that can be combined with behavior therapy.

Question 10

Why is the term behavior therapy somewhat misleading by today's theoretical definition?

A) Because therapists rarely employ behavior interventions anymore.
B) One can only claim to be a behavior therapist if the strict guidelines set out by B. F. Skinner are followed.
C) Behavior therapy has evolved to include the modifications of cognitions as well as behaviors.
D) Behavior therapy has yet to be supported by empirical evidence.
E) Most behavior therapists practice one form or another of eclecticism.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true regarding applied behavior analysis?

A) It's a clinical term referring to a behavioral approach based on operant conditioning principles.
B) It focuses on cognitive meditational variables that can be linked to both stimulus and response.
C) It is a complex approach that combines behavioral and social learning factors.
D) All of the above are true.
E) Only a and c are true.

Question 12

Which of the following procedures is/are used by applied behavior analysts?

A) Reinforcement.
B) Punishment.
C) Extinction.
D) Stimulus control.
E) All of the above.

Question 13

Negative reinforcement is defined as:

A) The strengthening of a behavioral response by reducing or eliminating an aversive stimulus.
B) The taking away of a positive reinforcement.
C) A learned relaxation technique.
D) None of the above.
E) Only a and b.

Question 14

Which of the following is defined as the extension of a conditioned fear response to new settings, situations, or objects?

A) Stimulus discrimination.
B) Stimulus control.
C) Stimulus generalization.
D) Response cost.
E) Spontaneous recovery.

Question 15

Stimulus discrimination occurs when:

A) An old response returns.
B) A conditioned fear response is not elicited by a slightly different stimulus.
C) An individual's belief or expectation is unfulfilled.
D) A conditioned fear response is elicited by a slightly different stimulus.
E) A parent distinguishes accurately between positive and negative reinforcement.

Question 16

A 5-year-old is given a 5-minute time-out for throwing spaghetti all over a new white tablecloth. This is an example of:

A) Punishment.
B) Positive reinforcement.
C) Negative reinforcement.
D) Response cost.
E) A lot of restraint on the part of the child's parents.

Question 17

A 5-year-old is slapped for throwing spaghetti all over a new white tablecloth. This is most likely an example of:

A) Punishment.
B) Positive reinforcement.
C) Negative reinforcement.
D) Response cost.
E) A lot of restraint on the part of the child's parents.

Question 18

In behavior theory and therapy, classical conditioning is sometimes referred to as associational learning. It can include which of the following?

A) Stimulus generalization.
B) Spontaneous recovery.
C) Stimulus discrimination.
D) All of the above.
E) Only a and c.

Question 19

During therapy, a woman with a severe rodent phobia was given instructions for progressive muscle relaxation and shown a picture of a mouse. Over time she was gently exposed to a live mouse. This is an example of which of the following?

A) Response cost.
B) Modeling.
C) In-vivo exposure.
D) Systematic desensitization.
E) None of the above.

Question 20

According to behaviorists, psychopathology results when:

A) Individuals have learning or skill deficits.
B) Individuals are unable to control their cognitions.
C) Individuals receive only negative reinforcement.
D) Punishment is too severe.
E) Individuals are exposed to psychoanalysis.

Question 21

Behaviorists view psychopathology as:

A) Maladaptive behaviors are predetermined.
B) Maladaptive behavior is often but not always learned behavior.
C) Maladaptive behavior is always learned behavior.
D) Maladaptive behaviors are unconscious.
E) Maladaptive behaviors are socially acceptable.

Question 22

Strict behavior therapists believe that lack of assertiveness may be a function of ___________.

A) Inadequate learning or anxiety.
B) Irrational beliefs.
C) Skill deficits.
D) Both a and b.
E) Both a and c.

Question 23

Behavior therapists use which of the following assessment tools to compensate for inconsistent and subjective interviews?

A) Video or audio recordings.
B) Structured or diagnostic interviews such as the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV.
C) Standardized questionnaires.
D) Self-monitoring.
E) All of the above.

Question 24

Why is direct behavioral observation by therapists inefficient?

A) Many clients don't want their therapist intruding on their personal lives.
B) It is expensive and inefficient for therapists to try to conduct formal observations outside the office.
C) Being present takes the therapist from outside observer to participant, which may influence the behavior being observed.
D) All of the above.
E) Direct behavioral observations are not inefficient.

Question 25

Which of the following is/are considered new generation behavior therapy(ies)?

A) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
B) Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
C) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
D) All of the above.
E) Only a and c.

Question 26

What are the behavioral ABCs?

A) Antecedents, beliefs, consequential emotions.
B) Antecedents, behavior, consequences.
C) Activity scheduling, behavior observation, cognitive control.
D) Anticipation, belief, consequences.
E) None of the above are accurate.

Question 27

Which of the following approaches emphasizes the behavioral ABCs?

A) Functional behavioral assessment.
B) Cognitive behavioral modification.
C) Systematic desensitization.
D) Behavioral activation.
E) Problem-solving therapy.

Question 28

A therapist sits down with a client and asks: "What happens before, during, and after the times during the day when your anxiety is high?" What assessment strategy is the therapist using?

A) Self-monitoring.
B) Credulous assessment.
C) Functional behavioral alignment.
D) Scientific interviewing.
E) Behavioral interviewing.

Question 29

Which of the following is the most commonly practiced behavioral assessment strategy?

A) Direct behavioral observation.
B) Physiological recording.
C) Audio recordings from the home or workplace.
D) Behavioral interviewing.
E) Functional behavior investigation.

Question 30

Operant conditioning or contingency management within educational and institutional settings is often referred to as:

A) Reevaluation therapy.
B) The token economy.
C) Contingency development.
D) Token management.
E) Aversive conditioning.

Question 31

Undermining intrinsic motivation by giving rewards to those who are already motivated is one criticism of:

A) Skills training.
B) Contingency management.
C) Relaxation training.
D) The neobehavioristic stimulus-response model.
E) Classical conditioning.

Question 32

Historically, _______________ has been viewed as a behavioral strategy that leads to behavior suppression but is NOT an effective method for controlling behavior over the long term.

A) Classical conditioning.
B) Positive reinforcement.
C) Punishment.
D) Response cost.
E) Negative reinforcement.

Question 33

Why does Kazdin (2008) think that many parents argue so strongly for the effectiveness of spanking-even though the research shows that punishment is relatively ineffective in changing children's behavior for the better?

A) Parents are experiencing a positive reinforcement for their spanking.
B) Spanking is highly effective-and the research is simply incorrect.
C) When children immediately stop misbehaving, albeit briefly, the parents receive a strong dose of negative reinforcement.
D) Parents are generally naive and tend to naturally make many inaccurate conclusions about their parenting.
E) Parents are unable to stop spanking because they have unfinished business related to having been spanked themselves as children.

Question 34

Behavioral activation therapy for depression is based on which of the following principles?

A) Everyone naturally enjoys golfing or bowling.
B) Depression is caused by self-punishing processes related to anger turned inward upon the self.
C) Healthy behaviors are interrupted by unhealthy cognitions.
D) Only a and c.
E) None of the above.

Question 35

How might a behavior therapist attempt to help a client suffering from depression?

A) By helping the client understand how past trauma could be affecting current mood states.
B) By helping the client to engage more frequently in activities the client finds enjoyable.
C) By exploring the role of interpersonal relationships in the client's life.
D) By exploring feelings of shame, remorse, and guilt in the client's life.
E) All of the above are often used by behavior therapists.

Question 36

Although progressive muscle relaxation is an evidence-based treatment for some problems or disorders, it also can:

A) Reactivate repressed memories and childhood trauma.
B) Trigger anxiety in clients.
C) Trigger aggression in clients.
D) Trigger depressive symptoms in clients.
E) Be used effectively with virtually all clients.

Question 37

Which of the following is/are included in the four steps of rational problem solving emphasized in problem-solving therapy?

A) Problem definition.
B) Generating alternatives.
C) Decision making.
D) All of the above.
E) Only a and b.

Question 38

Which of the following is/are FALSE about behavior therapy?

A) According to research on behavior theory, massed intensive desensitization is significantly more effective than spaced or graduated exposure sessions.
B) According to research on behavior theory, cognitions are required for behavioral activation to work.
C) Reinforcing avoidance behavior is a critical focus for operant conditioning to be effective.
D) All of the above are false.
E) Only a and b are false.

Question 39

Part of Rachel's behavior therapy involves running in place for three minutes to deal more effectively with physical aspects of her intense panic attacks. This is an example of what approach?

A) Virtual reality exposure.
B) In vivo exposure.
C) Interoceptive exposure.
D) Relaxation training.
E) Motor training.

Question 40

Which of the following has/have been empirically evaluated and identified as an empirically supported treatment?

A) Behavioral marital therapy.
B) Behavior therapy for headaches.
C) Behavior therapy for depression.
D) Exposure treatment for agoraphobia.
E) All of the above